A New Assessment of Presidential Foreign Policy
Luke Harding’s latest book, Betrayal, examines the diplomatic pivots of the current American administration. Central to this account is the relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Harding traces the path from the initial hope of a ceasefire to the abandonment of Ukraine as a key strategic partner. The book focuses on specific events, such as the UN General Assembly vote where the US aligned itself against international consensus on Russian aggression. It also details the treatment of President Zelenskyy, particularly during meetings in the Oval Office where administrative support for Ukraine wavered.
Trump’s approach to global power centers has long been defined by his belief in personal rapport over traditional alliances. Harding argues that this instinct failed to secure the desired outcomes in Moscow. Instead of gaining a cooperative partner, the administration encountered a rigid demand for total Ukrainian submission. The author points to the Alaska summit as a turning point, where the lack of substantive progress frustrated Trump’s expectation of an easy deal. Marco Rubio’s role as Secretary of State remains tied to these failed diplomatic efforts, as the administration continues to manage the fallout from the failed summit discussions.
The Human Cost of Geopolitical Shifts
Beyond the halls of power, the book documents the ground reality in Ukraine. Harding reports from sites of active conflict, including a clinic in Odessa destroyed by a Shahed drone. These scenes serve as a counterpoint to the rhetoric from Washington. The narrative captures the perspectives of those directly impacted by the fighting, from local residents to individual soldiers like Ri Chol-nam. These vignettes emphasize the physical devastation that continues across the region, regardless of the shifting political tides in the United States.
These accounts are framed by the broader geopolitical maneuvers of major players like China and the ongoing efforts of the Kremlin to exert pressure on European stability. Sabotage of undersea cables and airspace incursions demonstrate the reach of the conflict beyond the immediate front lines. Harding frames this as a period of significant risk for international security. The detailed reporting on these incidents underscores the volatility that characterizes the current era of state-level interactions.
Questioning the Nature of the Relationship
One of the most persistent questions in Harding’s work is the nature of the bond between Trump and Putin. The book asks whether this alignment stems from a shared worldview of absolute power or potential leverage held by the Russian state. Harding refrains from providing a definitive answer, instead using the hypothetical to frame the issue. He asks what a deliberate Russian agent would do differently than the current president, leaving the reader to weigh the evidence presented.
Still, the reality of the situation is complicated. Putin has not gained the surrender he sought, and the administration has not seen the rapid peace it once promised. This stalemate raises further questions about the effectiveness of the current foreign policy strategy. The lack of clarity from the Kremlin regarding potential compromises leaves the primary puzzle intact. As Harding is barred from Moscow, the opportunity for direct investigative reporting from within the Russian government remains limited, leaving the future of this conflict an open question for analysts and observers alike.